Ben And Kate Canceled: Show Removed From Schedule

The Fox network’s struggling new comedy series Ben and Kate has been removed from the broadcast schedule leaving fans in limbo over when and if the remaining six episodes of the first season will be shown.

Although not officially canceled Fox has followed the lead of other networks in simply deciding not to broadcast the remaining episodes of the Tuesday night sitcom; in a similar move ABC decided not to show the remaining episodes of Don’t Trust the B- in Apartment 23, which also aired on Tuesday nights, according to reports Thursday.

Ben and Kate was one of the major hopes for Fox to accompany the successful Raising Hope, which will have repeat episodes shown in the Tuesday time slot previously occupied by Ben and Kate. Tuesday night comedy series have struggled across the networks during the Fall season with NBC’s Go On starring Matthew Perry and The New Normal also finding it difficult to maintain their number of viewers.

The show received an overall rating of 1.2 among viewers age 18-49, and a 2.1 rating in that demographic for its last aired episode, with only four million viewers tuning in on Jan. 22.

“My network and I just broke up. She is a great girl, and I’m glad she gave us a shot as long as she did. I’ll miss you,” Echo Kellum tweeted on Jan. 23. The actor played Tommy on the show.

While @bluthss tweeted, “Lesson in life: Don’t get too attached to TV shows, cancellation may break your heart to million (i.e. Apt. 23, Ben and Kate).”

According to New York Times writer, Tuesday’s comedy lineup across the networks is weak.

“Comedy on Tuesday appears to be nearing complete rejection,” he wrote. “NBC’s two new series, ‘Go On’ and ‘The New Normal,’ both sank to new lows this week, even though Tuesday’s strongest network, CBS, was offering only repeats all night. Both new NBC comedies have had their ratings plunge since they were separated from the powerful lead-in of ‘The Voice.’ Their once-secure status as shows set to survive the season could now be threatened.”

E! News Suggested FOX may air the remaining episodes after the March 28 finale of “Raising Hope.”